‘I don’t like them and they know it,’ he said[3] of Pierce and Kevin Garnett[4] following their Game 1 altercation.

But on Tuesday, Richardson shared a different opinion after the Heat’s elimination in Game 5.

‘Paul’s a great NBA player,’ he told WEEI.com. ‘That’s the only opinion that really matters, his NBA game. He’s a good NBA player.’

Even though Richardson referred to Pierce as ‘an actress’ in Game 1, he said he never knocked his talent. That’s something that, in spite of their differences on the court, Richardson cannot deny.

‘I’ve always respected his game, never not,’ he said. ‘I mean, he’s an All-Star, he’s a Finals MVP, he has his accolades, and he well deserves them. I take my hat off to him as a basketball player. Nothing will change that.’